Happy Independence Day India!
This is truly a historic day, not just for Indians, but for the entire world! Why, you may ask?
Well its simple, India's struggle for independence is not about bloodshed or war, but India became free through the famous Non-Cooperative Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and many others who so valiantly made India free through non-violence. This does not mean that they did not fight; they fought alright, but without violence. And hence is the importance of this date in history, because on August 15, 1947 India became its own nation, it became the Republic of India!
Indian newspaper dated August 15th, 1947.
Famous picture of Mahatma Gandhi (right) and Jawaharlal Nehru (left).
Ever since the first flag hoisting in 1947 by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister, at the Red Fort in Delhi, it has become customary for the Prime Minister to hoist the Indian Flag, and address the nation.
Jawaharlal Nehru hoisted and revealed the flag of the Republic of India on August 15, 1947 and addressed the nation as its first Prime Minister and gave his famous speech "Tryst with Destiny."
Thus this tradition continued through 67 years of building India into the modern and powerful country it is today (not an opinion, but a fact). Many Prime Ministers came and went, some left a long lasting impression not just on India, but on the entire world. Prime Ministers like Indira Gandhi (first lady Prime Minister), shook the nation with their radicalism and practicality. They helped India to recognize its own potential and harness that so that the nation could prosper. They portrayed a true sense of patriotism and helped the people realize that too. However, soon their time ended and new Prime Ministers came in, who's agendas were very different, and India fell into a habit of relying on foreign imports, and other countries started taking advantage of a weak India.
However, as many of you might have seen in the news, India recently had a change in government and a new Prime Minister was sworn in.This probably showed up in the news because it was the biggest democratic election in history with over 800 million voters, and a landslide victory for the BJP (Bharatya Janata Party).
Now I get to my point. Our new Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi, has grabbed my attention more that any of the previous Prime Ministers. Why you may ask. The simple fact is that he seems to understand India better than some of out current leaders in Parliament and such, because he gave India the image that he did not become Prime Minister to be served, and get power, but to utilize that given power to serve, bring back the true meaning of "Public Servant".
Flag hoisting by the new Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi at Red Fort, New Delhi.
"I am present amidst you not as the Prime Minister, but as the Prime Servant."
It may seems just words coming out of a politician's mouth (literally and figuratively), I could not help but notice his sincerity. In his speech he mentioned that he is not from Delhi, meaning that he has been a part of the larger politics of the capital. He was previously the Chief Minister of the state of Gujarat. However, even though he is newcomer to the city, and political landscape of Delhi, he had proved to be a man of action in the few months he's been in office since his inauguration earlier in May. He maintains a website where he posts about almost anything the public ought to know, as well as a Twitter and Facebook accounts to be in touch with millions of Indians through digital media. I myself am a follower and personally I like that fact that my Prime Minister is communicating with me on a less formal basis.
You can take a look at his speech here on his website:
If you would like here is video of today's speech on YouTube:
The speech was given in Hindi as you may find in the video, but the link to the text lets you read his speech in English. Although the English translation is not really as good as how it was said in Hindi, it still gives you a great picture of what the Prime Minister's thoughts were, and what his actions are going to be.
I can go an on about the Prime Minister, but the reason that there is so much focus on him, and so much enthusiasm concerning his office, is that after a long time, India put a nationalist in power. Previously India, under the leadership of the Congress Party, put a lot of emphasis on keeping good foreign relations that the government only thought about how to please other countries and forgot how to please their own. Several cases of fraud, and corruption emerged concerning deals with foreign countries and companies. Several frivolous deals and mismanagement of the economy had put India on a downward slope. Inflation was on the rise, poverty increasing rapidly, and the citizens of India started feeling as if they were being cheated by the government. The rich kept getting richer and powerful, and poor could barely survive in the deteriorating conditions.
Hence given from his speech, it seems that he is bent on fixing India first, and that is what I think should be on every politician's agenda. This is what most people looked up to during his campaigns, and I think that is why they voted for him. I am excited about this new age in India, but I'm also know that I shouldn't count my chickens before they hatch. All in all, I'm just curious as to how the next five years for India are going to be under Mr. Modi, that is if the government doesn't change before that.
Sorry for the longevity of the post, I had lots to say. Don' forget to comment!
Happy Independence Day and Jai Hind!
P.S. Here is the link to a YouTube video of the Indian National Anthem sung by some renowned Indian classical singers, it will send chills down your body:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQmnt1e_3ds
Happy Independence Day and Jai Hind!
P.S. Here is the link to a YouTube video of the Indian National Anthem sung by some renowned Indian classical singers, it will send chills down your body:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQmnt1e_3ds
